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Guya, my house was broken into last night. I had a security system about 15-20 years old, which still used standard phone lines. The burglars cut my phone line from my basment [ which does not have a padlock] smashed a window, and got into the house. guys, I kinda have a love for this community,so please take note, and don't make the same mistake that I did. Be proactive, and not reactive. get a newer system, and know how to use it. I know have a ADT system, and now the newer systems use a cellular [cellphone] signal. My phone line is repaired, and I'm back to normal, except for the door which is boarded up. I'm starting this thread because I feel like I should warn our community about this.

I'm very sorry to hear this, as someone who travels on business frequently and has a family I worry. I figure a large dog is still the worlds best deterrent but we cannot have one at present, just not practical.

Can I ask what your neighborhood is like? For instance I live in a smaller town in a very densely populated area. Our neighborhood is extremely safe (heavily policed, always people around and houses are close) but we are near some neighborhoods with tougher makeup, very near several major freeways (fast in fast out) and people know there's stuff here worth stealing. My wife doesn't shoot nor do I and I feel a gun would be a bigger theft likelihood than ever coming in handy. We have an alarm but I'm the only one who ever remembers to use it and at that typically only when we all go away on a vacation because otherwise there is almost always somebody here...

I'm very sorry to hear this, as someone who travels on business frequently and has a family I worry. I figure a large dog is still the worlds best deterrent but we cannot have one at present, just not practical.

Can I ask what your neighborhood is like? For instance I live in a smaller town in a very densely populated area. Our neighborhood is extremely safe (heavily policed, always people around and houses are close) but we are near some neighborhoods with tougher makeup, very near several major freeways (fast in fast out) and people know there's stuff here worth stealing. My wife doesn't shoot nor do I and I feel a gun would be a bigger theft likelihood than ever coming in handy. We have an alarm but I'm the only one who ever remembers to use it and at that typically only when we all go away on a vacation because otherwise there is almost always somebody here...

What to do...

Buy a gun, learn to use it. And if you get a good safe your firearms aren't going anywhere.

Buy a gun, learn to use it. And if you get a good safe your firearms aren't going anywhere.

If I'm travelling what good will that do me? Even if I'm at home unless someone is physically threatening myself or family member nothing I care about enough to kill someone they can have it as long as they're leaving and then they can deal with cops, me with insurance.

I'm very sorry to hear this, as someone who travels on business frequently and has a family I worry. I figure a large dog is still the worlds best deterrent but we cannot have one at present, just not practical.

Can I ask what your neighborhood is like? For instance I live in a smaller town in a very densely populated area. Our neighborhood is extremely safe (heavily policed, always people around and houses are close) but we are near some neighborhoods with tougher makeup, very near several major freeways (fast in fast out) and people know there's stuff here worth stealing. My wife doesn't shoot nor do I and I feel a gun would be a bigger theft likelihood than ever coming in handy. We have an alarm but I'm the only one who ever remembers to use it and at that typically only when we all go away on a vacation because otherwise there is almost always somebody here...

What to do...

My neighborhood in its own is a pretty good one, mostly people here are senior citizens, or lawyers and such, but the surrounding area is horrid. the thing is, the break in definitely wasn't spontaneous. They planned for a while, and followed my dad home a few times I believe. Lots of bits of information is adding up now, but I feel a bit more secure knowing I know have a few other people watching out for me- ADT all day.
As for what you should do, just make sure you are where you want to be in terms of, are you in a riskof being followed home? are there beak ins alot in your area? things like that. Hell, my uncle who's neighborhood's houses are an average of USD $1 Million had a burglary. Gated community and everything.

If I'm travelling what good will that do me? Even if I'm at home unless someone is physically threatening myself or family member nothing I care about enough to kill someone they can have it as long as they're leaving and then they can deal with cops, me with insurance.

So you would prefer to put you and your families well being on the hopes that some criminal decides not to kill you?

lol Being in a Cash money business, my father carries a pistol, I have a taser, sister carries MACE, and Mom's got knives. - EVERYWHERE.

Taser and MACE won't stop someone who is determined. It will piss them off.

As well, someone under the influence. These things can do little to stop a threat.

Quote:

Originally Posted by hizhinezz

If I'm travelling what good will that do me? Even if I'm at home unless someone is physically threatening myself or family member nothing I care about enough to kill someone they can have it as long as they're leaving and then they can deal with cops, me with insurance.

God help you.

Too many stories I've heard of people cooperating with criminals, only to be executed, raped...etc after they get what they want.

Someone enters my house, they are going down. Someone on the street puts my life at danger, same thing is going to happen.

Quote:

Originally Posted by 325inthe510

So you would prefer to put you and your families well being on the hopes that some criminal decides not to kill you?

First, a word about physical security: If someone wants to get into your house, they are going to get into your house. Period. If they want your stuff, they're going to get it. I have seen every single type of security system defeated. Burglars are good at it. This is what they think about every day. There are numerous ways to defeat physical barriers to entry. We have a saying, and that is "Locks only keep honest people out."
And now a word about alarms: 95% useless, in my opinion. A generic burglar alarm is a "cry wolf" machine. They go off all the time for no reason, to the point that 97% of the alarms we respond to are false. Therefore they get dropped to the lowest priority in terms of calls we respond to. In other words, if your burglar alarm goes off, we'll get there....eventually. Some people have more expensive "panic alarms" that can be activated by the homeowner, and their activation is supposed to signal that there is imminent danger. Those things we respond to with lights and sirens. And they're mostly accidental. The reason a panic alarm is mostly useless is because burglars, generally speaking, do not strike in the middle of the night when you're sleeping. They strike in the daytime, when you're not home and most of your neighbors aren't, either. The only type of alarm system I WOULD recommend is not one that's connected to an alarm company, but a loud audible one that makes a lot of noise. Most burglars aren't going to stick around with that kind of noise being made.
Now on to cameras. Here is how you make a camera a deterrent. You make it obvious. You set them up around the perimeter of your home, and you make it obvious that they're there. Maybe even post signs that say "Smile, you're on camera and it's being recorded remotely. Your picture has been saved forever." Again, it's not a guarantee that the person won't break in, but if they do, you have their image preserved.
I generally do not see a lot of burglaries of homes that have obvious camera systems installed. To me, as someone who sees an average of 7-10 burglary scenes a week, a camera system is your best bet in terms of deterrence.
As to which ones to get, I recommend this one:http://www.costco.com/.product.10000...ViewCP#reviews
A bit pricey, but it has the best reviews.